Schools get set to elect a new champion

Six candidates for this year’s children’s champion role: Alisha Khan, Isabelle Stott, James Cawley, Millie Connor, Molly Judge, Soha Hussain

The hopes of the six candidates are now in the hands on primary schools across the borough to choose their new champion.

Six candidates from across the borough are nominees for this year’s children’s champion role as elections take place in primary schools.

There is a wide variety of manifesto points from all the candidates this year, as they all battle for votes up and down the borough.

Alisha Khan, from Kentmere Academy Rochdale, wants to focus on mental health, basic first aid training and global warming should she win.

Isabelle Stott, from Woodland Primary Heywood, has promised, should she win, to focus on bike safety, building cohesion between different schools and involving children in decision making.

James Cawley, from Little Heaton primary Middleton, has developed his manifesto for election on making sure all schools sign up to the Daily Mile, getting primary schools to partner up with their local library and introduce a Guardian Angels scheme in schools to give young people a voice.

Millie Connor, from Holy Trinity primary Littleborough, wants to focus on happy and healthy children, making sure dog walkers pick up dog dirt and helping the homeless with left over school dinners, if she wins.

Molly Judge, from Alkrington Primary Middleton, has based her manifesto for election on getting more places for young people to hang out, helping reduce plastic waste and planting more trees.

Soha Hussain, from Lowerplace primary Rochdale, has promised to raise awareness of different religious, help children get active and stop bullying should she win.

Councillor Kieran Heakin, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “These elections are always great and the turnout from primary schools is amazing, we are really grateful for their support. I am so impressed by the manifesto points of all the candidates; they are really thoughtful and well considered. I wish them all the best in the election and I’m looking forward to the result.”

Candidates are chosen following individual and team exercises at sessions with workers and the children’s council, facilitated by Rochdale youth service.

Elections will be taking place in school over the next fortnight with the result event is on Tuesday 3 July 2018 in the council chambers at the town hall, where the Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Mohammed Zaman, will declare the winner.